Cheap Thrills

We're living thrifty these days. Every extra penny is being swallowed up by the black hole known as Sallie Mae. The entertainment column receives little, if any, attention on the budget spreadsheet.

Even the dogs are feeling the pinch. They don't get fancy chew toys or stuffed animals with squeakers. They don't seem to mind though. Spur loves his sticks, especially the ones that are twice his size.

And Bo? Bo is enthralled with what ever animal happens to be inhabiting the trees.

Unfortunately, Bo felt the need to let us know about every move that a particular squirrel made last night. Bo barks quite loudly, and when Bo barks, Spur thinks there's a reason to bark as well. Needless to say, Kb and I did not get much sleep. Not to worry, Bo, Kb, and Kb's .22 took care of that little problem this afternoon. Cheers to a better night's sleep and squirrel meat!

Just kidding, I have no intention of cooking the squirrel. Although...that would help with the grocery budget...


Last week, we got our taxes done at one of those big chain tax places. Never doing that again. First of all, I had some sticker shock. I wrongly assumed that a big chain would automatically be affordable. Silly me. But also, the lady who was entering our tax forms continually insisted that we should not pay off so much debt in one year, and she repeatedly informed us that it is to our advantage to pay off our student loans over time.

Now I could have used this as an opportunity to share about how the debtor is slave to the lender and we want to be able to give more and use our money to glorify God. But I didn't. Instead, I stared at my shoes, allowing the lady's criticism of our sacrifices to sink right in and make me feel stupid.

I understand that not everyone agrees with our perspective on money and debt. This was just the first time that someone was so vocal about it.

When I hopped in my car to leave the tax place, I tuned the radio to the Dave Ramsey show. I needed a little salve for my wounds and some encouragement to press on.

And press on, we do.  We have date night with a nice dinner at Applebee's (with a gift card). Then, we get ice cream at Culver's (with a coupon). We take a walk and simply enjoy each other's company.

And it really doesn't feel like a sacrifice.



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